I made this hat a couple of days ago for my 1-month-old cousin, Noel (he's a boy :P). I used the Sock Monkey Hat pattern from Knitty, but I used the amount of stitches suggested for the medium one on size 9's (still using Idena Twins yarn) and it actually came out pretty baby-sized.

Here's how it turned out!

Cute, eh? (^_^) The embroidery and the pom-pom were fun. I fail at ears. XD

Okay, so after the yarn excursion I have started to seriously think about figuring out how I want to alter Cherie Amour. Very quickly a few days ago I realized that I basically wanted a completely different sweater, and while I have duckyshepherd's stitchtionaries captive, I figure now is a good time to figure it out, since I have my first skein of the yarn and my buttons.

First thing I did was go through all the knitting pattern sites I could think of, none had what I was looking for, go figure. So today, I decided to look at Victoria's Secret, remembering the catalogue with the "must be copied now" sweaters. Still haven't found what I want, but did find something interesting...

This Sweater that we all drooled over in that catalogue, compare with this sweater pattern from lionbrand, look familiar? Okay, there are some differences.. but tweaking can happen verry easily from the pattern to achieve the VS version. And the Alloy version apparently.

Also an interesting fact to me: remember the rant we were having one Wednesday night about today's fashions and trying to give you double boobs or make you look pregnant? NONE of the sweaters on VS's website do that... so maybe some members of the fashion community actually do still care that their customers look attractive in their clothes! There is hope!

The search continues for a sweater coat idea that tickles me enough to snipe the pattern.

This one at Macy's keeps catching my eye, possibly because they're calling it crocheted.. and it is soo knitted.While not what I was thinking this would probably be a very good choice with my yarn, but I'm worried my buttons would look goofy, I'm afraid the look of the lines in the sweater are dependent on the frogs.

About the only pattern I've found anywhere that near my original idea is for a Child's Sweater , and all it gets right is the number of buttons and their aproximate position, oh yeah, and the fact that it's lace. I guess I could just mature it up a little.. and size it up ALOT. Gah, why do my tastes have to be this out of fashion? I guess I'm not in fashion. Oh well.

And I found the perfect frame to use, if I win. It's great because I wanted a walking stick style umbrella, but apparently to get one without an automatic open button, you have to get an antique. I don't mind the tatteredness, probably unlike 95% of the other people who will look at it on ebay in between now and it's closing time tomorrow. I think the tatterness is nice, because I'll be bringing it back to life, instead of ripping apart a brand new umbrella skin.

I'll of course be doing some pretty lace, but to be weird, like I am, I've decided to work double stranded with a shiny crochet thread and a dull one, most likely on 4s. Black of course. I think it'll look awesome.

I had an idea to alternate two different lace patterns, like a flower panel, and a leaf panel.

I found some good candidates for the leaf panel, and I think I've actually decided to use this flame pattern as my "leaves".

Anyone know of any BIG flowers? Like it'd just be one flower per panel? I'd love the help finding it, I spent way too much time finding those flames.

Alright, last night I decided to start working on a pair of vogon socks. Making them out of Knitpicks Memories Rocky Mountain Dusk. Now, when I do wear socks(albeit rarely) I like them to be decently tall.. seems the point of a sock to me and I have rather big feet for a chick.. 9.5W grr.

Knitpicks is discontinuing my yarn! And they're already out of my colorway. If any of you have a spare skein of Rocky Mountain laying around, or even a partial skein, i will buy it off of you, I needs it.. my feet will thankyou.

Pattern Tweeking notes: I'm adapting the Tequila Phoenix toe up version for a short row heel.. because I don't like heel flaps, and have decided to nickname it the Mojito Phoenix.. now if only the kitten will learn that yarn is mommy's toy, not hers.

I am considering knitting Tuscany (from No Sheep For You) for Daniel's Grandma H, either as a birthday or Christmas gift (e.g., whichever event is coming up next after I ultimately finish the thing). Unfortunately, the Handmaiden Sea Silk (sportweight yarn) that the pattern recommends costs $32/skein, which is totally out of my price range. Can anyone recommend a good substitute, preferably one that comes in a blue colorway? Wool yarns need not apply. :P

ETA: Apparently the actual recommended yarn is "Handmaiden Silken", but I think it's still a sportweight yarn. (thanks, _purple_raven_!)

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I'll be making a very quick trip to the Michael's and JoAnn's in Ocala. I'm going straight from work and don't really intend to make an excursion of it, but I thought I'd ask if anyone needed anything from either of those locations. See you at Kay's! :D